Rugby: Oilers top Kenya Cup as Impala struggle continues

Andrew Odera (with the ball) of Menengai Oilers battles with Kelvin Kabole of Top Fry Nakuru RFC during the Kenya Cup Match at Nakuru ASK grounds on March 13,2021.[Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

Menengai Oilers moved top of the 2021-2022 Kenya Cup standings following their 16-15 win over Kenya Harlequin over the weekend.

The slim victory over Quins saw the Nakuru-based rugby club maintain their 100 percent start to the season as the side, which is coached by Gibson Weru, picked four points for a tally of 24.

Oilers are now unbeaten in their opening five matches but Weru believes they still have a long way in catching up with KCB and Kabras Sugar.

Strathmore Leos follow Oilers in second place after their fourth win of the season saw them earn bonus point that propelled them above Kabras Sugar with 21 points.

The sugar millers were not in action over the weekend (their game against Nondies was postponed) and in the process, have dropped to the third spot on 20 points.

Kabras are still unbeaten after winning all their four opening matches against Mwamba, Impala, Blak Blad and Top Fry Nakuru.

Champions KCB are fourth with 16 points after registering their third win of the season by beating Impala Saracens.

Kenya Harlequins picked a losing bonus point away in Nakuru against Oilers and have 14 points on the log from their opening five matches.

MMUST and Homeboyz are tied on 10 points, but separated by point-differential. Both sides have two wins in five matches.

Meanwhile, Impala Saracens are enduring a difficult start to the new season after losing their fifth straight match.

Impala started the season with a 29-20 defeat to Quins last year in November before losing to Oilers, Kabras and Strathmore Leos.